arrow_backAll FAQsCriminal & Traffic Law

What are the penalties for shoplifting in Arizona?

balance
Statute-verified answerEvery citation resolves to Arizona statute text; every figure is checked against its section. Generated by AI, verified by code.
Arizona classifies shoplifting by the value of the property taken: property valued at less than $1,000 is a class 1 misdemeanor (unless the property is a firearm, in which case it is a class 6 felony); property valued at $1,000 or more but less than $2,000 is a class 6 felony; and property valued at $2,000 or more is a class 5 felony [1]. Shoplifting during a "continuing criminal episode" — theft of property valued at $1,500 or more across at least three separate incidents within ninety consecutive days — or shoplifting done to promote, further or assist a criminal street gang or criminal syndicate is also a class 5 felony [1]. Regardless of the property's value, a person who uses an artifice, instrument, container, device or other article to facilitate the shoplifting, or who has two or more prior offenses involving burglary, shoplifting, robbery, organized retail theft or theft within the past five years, is guilty of a class 4 felony [1]. Sentencing ranges. For a first-time felony offender, the prison terms for these classifications are [2]: - Class 4 felony: mitigated 1 year, minimum 1.5 years, presumptive 2.5 years, maximum 3 years, aggravated 3.75 years [2]. - Class 5 felony: mitigated .5 years, minimum .75 years, presumptive 1.5 years, maximum 2 years, aggravated 2.5 years [2]. - Class 6 felony: mitigated .33 years, minimum .5 years, presumptive 1 year, maximum 1.5 years, aggravated 2 years [2]. A class 1 misdemeanor carries a maximum term of imprisonment of six months [3]. A person convicted of a misdemeanor who has been convicted of the same offense within the preceding two years must be sentenced for the next higher class of offense [3]. The court may also require a person convicted of shoplifting to perform court-designated public services in addition to or in lieu of any fine [1]. Civil penalties. Separately from criminal penalties, an adult or emancipated minor who shoplifts is civilly liable to the owner for a penalty equal to the retail value of the goods, plus — for an adult — an additional penalty of at least $250 but not more than $250 plus actual damages, and for an emancipated minor, at least $100 but not more than $100 plus actual damages [4]. The parents or legal guardians of an unemancipated minor are civilly liable for the retail value of the goods plus an additional penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $100 plus actual damages [5]. A criminal conviction is not required to bring such a civil action, and a person convicted of shoplifting is precluded from later denying the essential allegations of the offense in the civil case [7].

Attorneys listed on Legal Search Hub who handle criminal defense in Phoenix browse Legal Search Hub

Legal Search Hub is a separate site operated by the same company. Listings are not endorsements.

AI-Generated Information. Consult a licensed attorney for official legal advice.

Report an error

About·Editorial policy·Contact

ClearStatute, Cite11, and Legal Search Hub are products of Legal Search Hub LLC.